Malone Wilson: One of the First African-American Marine ‘Volunteer’ Recruits

By Frank Hauenschild, Honor Flight Chicago Veteran Interview Volunteer

Malone Wilson was born in Thomaston, Alabama and was principally raised by his mother, Ernestine during his younger years. Now approaching the century mark with his 100th birthday this November, Malone was the oldest of his seven siblings. He came to Chicago at the age of 14 in 1936 and attended Wendell Phillips High School. Malone worked at various jobs including making game puzzles, cleaning chickens and working at the Union Stockyards on the South Side of Chicago. 

With World War II escalating, Malone was drafted in 1943, just shy of his 21st birthday. He recalled being at the induction center in Chicago ready to become a soldier in the Army when they called out that they needed “one more recruit for the Marines.” Malone, realizing that no one else was volunteering to become a Marine, stepped up and volunteered to become a Marine. He remarked that once he experienced the life of a Marine, “I never volunteered for anything else for the rest of my life.”

Upon arriving at Boot Camp in Montford Point, Jacksonville, N.C. Malone became one of the first black Marines to be part of the Montford Point Marines. This unit was specifically formed after President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed an Executive Order following the attack upon Pearl Harbor, which allowed blacks to be recruited into the Marine Corps from 1941 to 1943.  By 1944, close to 18,000 black Marines were serving with nearly 12,000 being deployed overseas. Many Montford Point Marines were initially placed into noncombatant supply units; many of these black units were allowed into combat when needed. In 2012, the Montford Point Marines were formally recognized with the Congressional Gold Medal. 

From Montford Point, Malone was sent to Oceanside, California and was then deployed to New Caledonia in the South Pacific, which was a major supply area for the Pacific Theater during WWII.  The next stop for Malone would be Guadalcanal.  He recalled the unrelenting heat and mosquitoes “the size of birds” while he endured 16-hour work days to keep the supplies moving.

As the war in the Pacific escalated, Malone was repositioned to Okinawa. He was a part of the motor transport, driving trucks to pick up supplies and materials from ships. Though the Allied forces had control of Okinawa, the Japanese continued to bomb the island on a regular basis. Malone stated that even though “I never went to the front, we did have to run for cover because they used to bomb every night. The Japanese planes would fly over and we had to run for the fox holes. We spent every night on the ground.” He related that they wore the same clothes for a week or more as they did not have time to change. Adding to the misery, “it would rain every day.”

In the months preceding Japan’s surrender, Malone’s unit was being prepared to invade Japan. “We had our gear ready to invade Tokyo, but they dropped the bomb the same night we were called to go,” Malone said. Following the surrender of Japan, his unit returned to Okinawa where they waited three weeks for a ship to bring them back to the States. After 21 days at sea, they arrived safely back in the United States. Malone was honorably discharged from the Marines as a Private First Class on December 9, 1945.

Malone returned to his hometown of Chicago, married Lorraine and together they raised four children, Letitia, Patrice, Ronald and Rita. Malone retired as an industrial x-ray technician where he inspected water lines for municipalities in the Chicago area. 

Recalling his service during WWII, “The military made me more determined to work hard and take advantage of my opportunities.” When asked what he thinks when people say, “Thank you for your service,” Malone remarked, “I think it’s nice they thank me; it means a lot. I really think about it. It gives you a sense of pride.”

Malone also takes pride in the military service of his brothers:  Clinton and Richard served in the Army, William and Theodore served in the Air Force, and brother Larson served with the U.S. Navy.  Malone mentioned that between him and his brothers, their family has served in the four military branches for our country. 

Malone also credits the military for the life he’s been able to lead. He is very thankful for the health care he receives from the Veterans Administration at the Jesse Brown Medical Center in Chicago.  Recently Malone’s VA doctor retired; he had cared for Malone for over 30 years.  “My military service is responsible for my longevity. The care I’ve received has made me very grateful in my old age.”

Thank you Private First Class Malone Wilson for your service to our country with the U.S. Marine Corps.   Enjoy your well-deserved Honor Flight with your fellow veterans.